As sales manager for KSBR Sverige, Andreas Olson draws on his full range of strengths: technical construction expertise, multilingualism and strong interpersonal skills.

“Pick up a hammer and get to work.”

That was the first lesson in construction for Andreas. As a primary schooler, he spent his summers helping his grandfather build and renovate cottages on the Swedish-speaking west coast of Ostrobothnia, Finland.

His grandfather was a demanding and meticulous master builder who could signal that something wasn’t quite right with just a raised eyebrow. This taught the young boy to be thorough—if not an outright perfectionist.

Today, Andreas Olson, sales manager at KSBR, speaks warmly of his mentor.

– He didn’t show me how to do things directly; he believed in learning by doing. That is how I’ve approached life ever since. My grandfather and I still have fascinating conversations about construction, says Olson from his office in Luleå.

A goal scorer turned sales professional 

Andreas Olson enjoys working in Northern Sweden, as it reminds him of his roots. Originally from bilingual Vaasa, he spent his youth in Jakobstad and Nykarleby. It was there he pursued a passion for ice hockey, playing as a right winger for Vaasan Sport.

After high school, Andreas followed his practical interests and trained as a builder. Upon graduating, he worked on a local school campus before moving to Helsinki in search of new opportunities.

As an energetic and social professional, Olson’s career path soon evolved from builder to salesman. His sales work remained closely tied to the industry—anyone who stopped for a chat with Andreas might find themselves convinced to buy new patio glazing for their home.

Then came KSBR Sverige 

Having encountered KSBR on several shared worksites, Andreas was already familiar with the company’s versatile expertise and its strong reputation as an employer.

– KSBR was at the same Stora Enso site where I was working a couple of years ago. I was recommended to CEO Marko Leppänen, who invited me for an interview. We immediately saw eye-to-eye on our goals, Andreas recalls.

With his background and fluency in Swedish making him the ideal candidate for the Swedish market, joining the team was a natural step. Andreas started at KSBR Sverige as a foreman before transitioning into his current role as Sales Manager.

– Starting out as a supervisor on the Boden project was invaluable. It is much easier to sell a concept when you’ve been deeply involved on-site, know the details inside out, and have successful results to point to. That builds immediate trust with the customer.

Earning trust in the swedish market 

According to Andreas, KSRB Sverige, founded a few years ago, has gained significant momentum in Northern Sweden. The success of their first project in Boden led the same client to hire them for their next industrial venture.

– We secured the follow-up project because we proved we could deliver high quality on a tight schedule, even in a project as demanding as Boden, he says.

While KSBR Sverige has built industrial sites in Boden, the company also provides infrastructure, wind farms, and energy construction services. Olson has a clear vision: first, to establish a solid foothold in Sweden, and then to expand the sales team.

You can find Andreas at various construction trade fairs across Sweden this year. 

– We’ve already had some great discussions and established promising contacts. The competitive advantage of KSBR Sverige lies in the ability to both talk the talk and walk the walk. It’s not just about picking up your tools—it’s about knowing exactly how to use them, he says, echoing the wisdom of his mentor.

Do you want to know more about KSBR Sverige? Contact Andreas: tel. +46 702 425 689, andreas.olson(@)ksbr.fi